Mrs. Martin's Quilt Shop Christmas in July...Thank you June.

Just before I went away I sent off a parcel to my swap partner, June C in Melbourne for the Christmas in July Swap run by Mrs. Martin's Quilt Shop. The plan was to open the gifts on July 1, but unfortunately I was away then and had to wait a few days. There were some specific things which we had to send. We had to include an ornament, something for the sewing kit, an unmounted stitchery, and something beginning with the letter of your partner's name and a bag to put it all in. Also included was a fat quarter, a button to go with it and a recipe. Here's what June sent me...

The "L" items for my name were labels ( quilt), some lace and a lanyard. ( June must have known that I needed one of those for work). Also there was a hand made card - mine was stitched and attached to a wonderful,very useful bag.

Look at all these wonderful examples of stitching. Aren't they great? Thank you so much June - I love them and I have been using the bag lots. A girl can never have too many pincushions either, can she?

Because I was disorganised as usual and we were going away I actually messed up and didn't take a photo of all the things I sent June in one photo. Luckily she did and sent me one. This is the stichery I did for June. It is a Leanne's House pattern which is similar to the ones she has just released. I wonder what June will make from it.

Here's the bag I made from some Winter charm squares - It is a Whistlepig Creek pattern - Charming Totes. ( It isn't numbered because it is the first in the series).

This started out to be a pincushion but I changed it to be a decoration

and then I included this pincushion which I would have loved to have keep myself. I'll just have to make another one.

I did include some other things - because June's name starts with "J" I also sent some Jaffas, and a journal.

I really enjoyed this swap, and I apologise to June for not posting about it earlier. Thank you so much, June. I loved everything and I am looking forward to making your little stitchery up in the pattern you sent.

And thank you to Karen of Mrs. Martin's Quilt Shop for organising this swap.

Holiday snaps...

Well, it seems that I had a bit longer holiday than I thought, at least from blogging. We did go away for nearly two weeks but we have been back for a little while and I do have to do some swap update posts. All the wonderful people who have sent me things - don't worry there will be news of them soon.

So on the last few days of June and the beginning of July we went up north. ( It's the only way to keep warm.) The destination was Airlie Beach which is the mainland centre which is the doorway to the Whitsunday Islands ( where the best job in the world is).

But we did stop a few times on the way and especially at one of my favourite places - Clairview. This is where the highway and the coastline meet. There's not much there, which is probably why it is so wonderful. It is a great place to look for shells. Most of them are very tiny but still very beautiful. It is a perfect place to stop to stretch legs and get grumpy children out of the car.

And we finally got to our holiday unit at dusk. Who would believe that it was Winter?